One of the hottest topics surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason is whether Brian Thomas Jr. is part of their long-term plans. While the 2024 first-round pick took the NFL by storm as a rookie, he endured a sophomore slump last year. Couple that with Parker Washington's emergence and the arrival of Jakobi Meyers via trade, and it's easy to see why he's been the subject of trade speculation.
While it doesn't look like the Jaguars are willing to part ways with Thomas, a trade shouldn't be entirely ruled out. After all, they had discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers before last year's deadline, and they've once again resumed talks.
The Jaguars keep talking with the Steelers about trading Brian Thomas Jr.
Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan reported on social media that the Jaguars are engaged in talks with the Steelers about potentially moving Brian Thomas Jr., noting that they had discussed a deal last year.
This doesn't mean that the Jaguars are ready to ship Jacksonville, but rather that they're open to the possibility if a team makes the right offer. Pittsburgh would most definitely be an intriguing trade partner. After all, they hold the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Even though the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf last year, they're still in dire need of help at receiver, with Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller scheduled to become free agents. They could turn to the draft, but Thomas would give them a proven option at the position.
At first sight, a first-round pick may be a steep price to pay for Thomas when you take into account that he's coming off an underwhelming season. That said, his impressive rookie campaign should still be fresh in other teams' minds.
Despite the fact that the former LSU Tiger was the fourth receiver off the board in 2024, he turned out to be the best of the bunch, registering 1,282 yards with 10 touchdowns. Following his strong start to his NFL career, Thomas was expected to take the next step and join the echelon of elite receivers last season. But instead, he struggled with drops and was outplayed by teammates Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers.
Heading into Year 3, the Walker, Louisiana native will be part of a crowded receiver room that includes Washington, Meyers, and two-way star Travis Hunter. He could still carve a prominent role in the Jacksonville offense, but the prospect of acquiring a first-round selection could be too good for general manager James Gladstone to pass up.
Why the Steelers give the Jaguars the perfect trade partner for Brian Thomas Jr.
The Jaguars don't have a first-round pick in the 2026 draft after trading up for Travis Hunter last year. They still have their second, 56th overall, and they'll still have plenty of intriguing options at that point of the process. That said, acquiring a first would most definitely be huge, as it would allow them to address all their pressing needs.
Jacksonville could lose cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. On top of that, the pass rush and defensive tackle are in need of reinforcements. On the other hand, the Jags may be hesitant to get rid of Thomas, even if he could net them a first-rounder.
After all, Thomas gives their offense an element of verticality that will allow Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, and Jakobi Meyers. Granted, he was underwhelming last year, but there's a realistic chance that he could bounce back and once again be that playmaker he showed he can be in 2024.
As free agency approaches, the Brian Thomas Jr. trade speculation will continue. Based on the latest update, nobody should bat an eye if the Steelers make a strong push for him.